The OS Patches (Patch) module checks for the presence of operating system patches that strengthen system security. Patch information is stored in Patch templates.

Symantec updates Patch templates with the Symantec ESM policy installer. This ensures that updated Patch templates are available for use by best practice policies, response policies, and default policies that are delivered with Security Update releases. Installing this update adds or updates the OS Patches policy and associated template files on the Symantec ESM manager.